A cultivator in the mid Nascent Soul stage was seen moving around Wu Tao’s mansion.
He meticulously recorded everything he observed onto a jade slip.
Meanwhile,
The mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator, completely unaware he had been discovered, believed he was well-hidden.
Little did he know, his movements had already fallen into the sights of watchful eyes.
This mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator was quite cautious by nature.
After surveying Wu Tao’s mansion and gathering useful information, he knew he should not linger any longer.
He decisively used a special talisman in his hand to break open the mansion’s defensive array and quickly slipped through the gap.
In no time, he blended into the crowd on the street, becoming an unremarkable figure.
Unbeknownst to him, the moment he disappeared into the throng, Wu Tao also merged with the crowd.
...
Watching his retreating figure, Wu Tao murmured to himself, “The talisman in that fellow’s hand is truly extraordinary, capable of both breaking arrays and concealing one’s form.”
“However, the urgent matter now is to ascertain which faction is plotting against me?”
With a flicker of his body, Wu Tao also squeezed into the crowd, following the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator from a distance.
Given the large number of people on the street, coupled with maintaining a sufficient distance and Wu Tao’s superior cultivation realm…
Wu Tao was confident he could track the cultivator without being detected.
As the flow of people gradually thinned, Wu Tao also concealed his presence.
He then stealthily followed the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator to a private tavern.
Such a small tavern had minimal security measures, allowing Wu Tao to infiltrate with ease.
Upon entering, Wu Tao discovered that the small tavern was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.
Behind the tavern’s kitchen, several individuals were organizing documents, and their cultivation levels were not low; they were all at the Core Formation stage.
It was important to note that a mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator and several Core Formation stage cultivators were not individuals that ordinary factions could dispatch.
Seeing this scene, Wu Tao immediately felt he had arrived at the right place.
He overheard the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator taking a seat amidst the obsequious greetings of his Core Formation stage subordinates.
“Report, Commander, we have compiled the information on the city defenses of the Wu family’s stronghold, a candidate for the Fen Zhen and Wang Zuo plan,”
A late Core Formation stage cultivator named Kela said to the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator who had just sat down.
The mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator, surnamed Liu, nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the information compiled by his subordinates.
Concealed nearby, Wu Tao was astonished to hear that he had also become a candidate for the Fen Zhen and Wang座 plan.
Had the Fen Zhen and Wang Zuo plan already commenced?
Then, the era of balance between the four Wang Zuo families, the central imperial court’s Liu family, and the eight Fen Zhen organizations would not be far off.
Later, Wu Tao, calming his mind, could not help but feel a surge of excitement at this good news. It was truly as if he had just wished for a pillow while feeling sleepy.
Just as he was intending to focus and develop his influence and strength, the World Government had delivered such good news. It seemed necessary to plan carefully.
Just as Wu Tao was about to withdraw, he heard the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator surnamed Liu make a rather impudent remark:
“The Third Prince still wishes to give the Wu family an opportunity, but in my opinion, the Wu family is nothing special. I visited the Wu family’s lair, and no one even discovered me.”
After saying this, the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator surnamed Liu let out a triumphant laugh.
Wu Tao, who had been preparing to withdraw quietly, became furious upon hearing the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator’s words.
An astonishing aura suddenly erupted from Wu Tao’s body.
The mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator, sensing this aura, belatedly felt that something was amiss.
Wu Tao revealed his presence and let out a cold snort, a sneer appearing on his face.
Then, unleashing an attack with the Duotian Divine Thunder, Wu Tao shouted loudly, “Since you believe my Wu family has no capable individuals, then first take this palm strike before speaking further!”
The mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator did not expect the head of the Wu family to discover him and adopt such a defiant stance, launching an attack directly at him.
The mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator hastily produced his natal artifact, the Moon-Crescent Saber, and swung it forward.
Indeed, he was recognized by the Liu imperial family and was capable of holding his own. Even when responding hastily, he displayed his prowess.
A saber energy, no less potent than Wu Tao’s Duotian Divine Thunder, met the incoming strike.
However, very quickly, the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator’s expression changed.
“Trouble! I never expected his divine ability to be so powerful that it could shatter my saber energy!”
The mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator, dodging rapidly, was still struck by the residual energy of the Duotian Divine Thunder.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, his body retreating repeatedly, clearly having suffered a minor loss.
Having sustained a minor injury, the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator felt an ominous premonition, even a trace of fear.
He thought to himself, impossible, how could he have been discovered when he possessed the Invisible Immortal Talisman?
He was clearly intimidated by Wu Tao’s methods.
Of course, the mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator, unwilling to back down verbally, said, “Head of the Wu family, what do you mean by this? Are you intending to formally declare war on the imperial court?”
...
Hearing his words, Wu Tao mockingly laughed, “Hahaha, that last attack must have been unpleasant, right? How is it now? Do you still think my Wu family has no capable individuals?”
...
After a pause, Wu Tao’s subsequent words were filled with sarcasm, “Can you even represent the will of the imperial court’s central authority?”
“Fen Zhen? An interesting plan. Give my masters a message: I will consider it carefully.”
With that, Wu Tao strode away.
The mid Nascent Soul stage cultivator, named Liu Wei, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with a hint of hatred.
With a dark expression, Liu Wei, disregarding the opinions of his subordinates in the room, directly ordered a return to the imperial court’s central authority.
The strength of the Wu family’s head clearly exceeded his and the Ministry of War’s expectations. It seemed he needed to revise the report he had just written.
Liu Wei, having lost face, cursed his subordinates who had collected the initial information about Wu Tao as he watched Wu Tao’s retreating back.
If not for these scoundrels providing unreliable information, leading him to prematurely underestimate the Wu family, this situation would not have occurred.
He truly suffered this Duotian Divine Thunder strike unjustly.
...
It seemed a new era was fast approaching.
This was the current thought of Wu Tao on the other side.
Wu Tao was not surprised by the impending invitation from the Fen Zhen. However, he still needed to carefully consider whether to accept it.
After all, becoming a Fen Zhen not only brought numerous benefits but also entailed various responsibilities under the agreement.
Firstly, as a legitimate ruling entity recognized by the imperial court’s central authority, he would no longer need to pay taxes and would not be suppressed by the central government.
However, this was relative.
With benefits came disadvantages.
Firstly, the four Wang Zuo families would regard the Fen Zhen as enemies.
Wu Tao’s Wu family would undoubtedly face trouble.
Moreover, upon becoming a Fen Zhen, one’s fame and reputation would increase, attracting a large number of talented individuals to join, which was true.
But this also came at a cost.
There would be various families in the vicinity who would not submit to him and would attack him openly or covertly, causing him endless headaches.
Of course, upon becoming a Fen Zhen, Wu Tao would also receive some resource aid from the imperial court’s central authority, and his cultivated army would become increasingly powerful.
As for those families seeking to harm the Wu family, Wu Tao now had the capability to make them pay the price.
Weighing the pros and cons, becoming a Fen Zhen was indeed the best way to enhance his reputation for Wu Tao, who lacked a solid foundation.
For the current Wu Tao, the path to becoming stronger had already been found.
Now, he simply needed to continuously strengthen his current influence. As for how far he could go, he would take it one step at a time, and when that time came, he would deal with it then.
However, given Wu Tao’s personality, he would not be confined by the mere title of Fen Zhen.
Furthermore, Wu Tao currently possessed a treasure map.
This treasure map not only recorded a powerful spiritual treasure but also a large number of ancient war-type warships.
Based on the contents of this treasure map,
This so-called secret realm was very likely left behind by a powerful sect from ancient times.
Of course, these were all speculations, which Wu Tao had deduced from some information within the treasure map.
Naturally, for the current Wu Tao, the most important matters were to deal with the Chu and Wu families and then unify the entire Chu Domain.
Regardless, the Ascending Immortal Sect, where Wu Tao belonged, could only extend its reach and have the time to explore the secret realm recorded in the treasure map and do other things after unifying the entire Chu Domain.
Otherwise, with his rear not secured, how could he have the energy and time to do other things?
At this moment, Wu Tao had already gathered his forces and was preparing to move against the Chu and Wu families.
As for which of the Chu and Wu families to deal with first, Wu Tao thought about it and decided to deal with the relatively weaker Wu family first, and then confront the Chu family.
Wu Tao secretly resolved to eliminate the Chu and Wu families, these two tumors, within this year.
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